Living well in the urban village

In My Kitchen, May 2014

Folks, can I ask a favour this month? If you do an In My Kitchen post, could you please also make a point of reading and commenting on a few of the other IMK posts as well? (I know many of you already do this, thank you!)

As the gathering picks up momentum, it’s hard for us to get to every post, but it’s always lovely to have a virtual cup of tea with a few of our fellow bloggers! Thanks! xx

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In my kitchen…

…are the most gorgeous lilies ever, a gift from my neighbours Brett and Liz. They’ve flowered continuously for ten days, scenting the room with their sweet perfume…

In my kitchen…

…is a very special bag of Amedei callets, a belated birthday present from my friend Tania…

…is Bobotie! After reading about this traditional dish on Tandy’s blog, I asked my South African neighbour Brett about it, and he made me some to try. I was so excited that I had to hop onto Twitter to tell Tandy and Mandy about it straight away…

It’s absolutely delicious, and a completely different flavour to any savoury mince dish I’ve tried before. Brett’s beef mince and sultana version is seasoned with garlic, curry powder, chutney, Worcestershire sauce, turmeric, vinegar and apricot jam. Here’s the recipe that he used…

In my kitchen…

…are new Turkish plates, bought with birthday money from my folks. They’re handpainted in food safe glazes, and we believe the little lip is meant to be a pouring spout. I bought the set from Moya at Turkuaz Motif (their new shop is at 127 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest)…

In my kitchen…

…were milk and dark Easter chocolates. I only made a few this year, but Small Man helped with the eggs, so it was a real family affair…

In my kitchen…

…is our third attempt at char siu. This batch was a great success…

My sons ate the entire half a kilo’s worth at dinner, so the only photos I have are these ones taken at night under the fluoro lights.

…are treasures from Glenda and Maus’ Passion Fruit Garden kitchen – homemade red wine vinegar, homegrown pickled capers, and extra virgin olive oil from their trees. They were over for a visit from Perth, and Glenda carefully packed these goodies in her luggage for me…

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Finally, in my kitchen…

…is the end of a looong quest to replace my worn out silicone spoons. Over the years, I’ve gone through half a dozen of these – the heads have eventually cracked, and the handles have splintered away from daily use.

I tried very hard to switch to wooden spoons, but just didn’t like the feel of them. Other silicone spatulas had handles that were too short, or heads that were too soft to really scrape food around in the wok. Eventually, I found these by Chasseur. They were perfect, and felt so much like the original, that I bought six of them.

In the photo below is the last of my original spoons (green) and the new blue and red Chasseur ones…

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Tell me, what’s happening in your kitchen this month?

If you’d like to do an In My Kitchen post on your own blog, please feel free to do so. We’d love to see what’s happening in your kitchen this month! Please link back to this blog, and let us know when your post is up, and we’ll add it to our monthly listing. Please upload your post by the 10th of each month.

Lilies are my favorite!! And those Turkish plates are gorgeous. I really need to start adding some color to my plate collection and those would be right up my alley.

Nice to hear about the char Sui. I have some hom bow on my list to make and I’ve been in search of a good recipe for char Sui. I’ll have to give it a go.

And thanks for your opening comment! As a brand new blogger my “In My Kitchen” post from last month got a lot of views and a lot of comments. It definitely made me feel like I wasn’t just talking to myself much appreciated!!

I’ll share my new edition soon just need to redo a photo. (be on the lookout – I have some chocolates you might approve of)

Lauren, those chocolate wrappers in your post were amazing! I hope you can find something clever to do with them when you’ve eaten the chocs! And this is a very nice char siu recipe – I left out the red food colouring that makes it really red. I hope you find some pretty plates – the Turkish ones are a serious weakness of mine! :)

Hi Celia, I see you got your plates. They are very lovely, I am sure they will bring you much pleasure.
Bobotie is something I have heard about but never tasted. It does sound interesting.
Bring in the new, spoons. Love the colours.

Wonderful thing in your kitchen. I’m envious of your Turkish plates – lovely vibrant colours. There are some thing that you just need a silicone spoon for – a wooden one won’t do. I use both. Bobotie is delicious and a great comfort food. I’ve never heard of char siu, but it looks divine.

Debi, char siu is a staple of Chinese cuisine, and is usually sold at barbeque duck shops. We use it in everything from soft buns to fried noodles and rice. Agree completely on the silicone spoon – I tried really hard to switch over (back) to wooden, but just didn’t like how it felt.

I love your Turkish plates, beautiful! I made Bobotie many years ago from a cookery book I had just bought, had never heard of it before but it sounded tasty, I don’t think I made it a second time but now that I am a more experienced cook(!) I may try it again to see if we like it.
Lilies are my favourite flowers, my mother’s name was Lily.

Oh I love lilies. They’re such cheerful flowers I think. Those plates too are just divine. I’m happy just looking at them, I’m sure they’ll see many happy occasions!

I’ve used silicone spoons for baking etc, but never for cooking and stirring hot foods… It’s a fabulous idea though. I might have to get a few to try because I’m fond of getting every last morsel from the pot/bowl and my wooden spoons just don’t do that…

Lisa, we’re naughty because we put our silicone spoons in the dishwasher, which I’m sure shortens their life, but they do come out nice and clean. And they really do make the best scrapers, especially when I’m moving stuck noodles around a wok, or scrambling eggs!

Scented lilies are one of my favourite cut flowers and I think that your white ones may be the Casablanca variety – nothing smells quite as intense and luxurious as lilies! Your Turkish plates are lovely – adore the organic shapes. I’ll get my post up soon but thought that I would let you know that I always get a few comments from this wonderful IMK community that you have nurtured and I can also see a lot of visits from your page in my stats. I do try to read each post over the course of the month (permission to be nosey!!) and also comment on or like the posts. Have made lots of new “friends” through this wonderful monthly post, Celia – thank you!

Selma, it’s been a joy to have you joining in the IMK posts! And thanks for the headsup on the variety of lilies – these were definitely the most spectacular and longest lasting ones we’ve ever been given. The shape of the Turkish plates, plus the traditional tulip and chrysanthemum designs, were what drew me to them in the first place!

Wow, did you get a great shot of that lily – the detail is amazing. I also made the bobotie and we loved it! Of course you’ve got a little bit of chocolate in your kitchen – I would be shocked if you didn’t but I have a feeling I’m going to be dreaming about those Easter eggs tonight. I think the Turkish dishes are charming & that’s a great idea to have the little lip, plus it adds style to them. It surely sounds like you & Glenda had some shopping fun recently. I wish I could go on an excursion with you ladies.

Hi darling, is it really May already?! Wow, this year really is flying past. Aren’t those lilies beautiful. Such a great photo too. Yummy, char siu is a favourite at our place. I will have a look at that recipe you’ve linked to, Celia. Gorgeous little plates, aren’t they! I bet Glenda’s preserves are delicious too. Great suggestion about commenting on other posts… I do try to pop in to as many as possible each month. You have something really wonderful happening here. Well done xox

I bought a silicone spoon as a curiosity, now I just love the scrape as you stir functionality. The bobotie sounds a curious dish. I recently read about it in the colonial section of Mrs Beeton’s 1907 family recipe book. You saying it’s delicious, tempts me to try it out. Delicious looking char siu!

Norma, thank you – the funny thing was, it took me two days of marinating, and another hour or more of cooking, and the boys ate it all in literally minutes. Ah well, I suppose that’s what we were hoping for, and they did enjoy it! :)

I’ve got a recipe for bobotie somewhere that has been on my list to try for years. Now I need to dig it up. I also never thought to make my own char Sui. Great idea. I am glad to see that Glenda has cracked the vinegar at last :) Lucky you. Her goods are divine.

Silicone spoon/spatula is also my preferred kitchen tool. The best was my first, a sturdy Mario Batalli I purchased at a Homewares store. It lasted for a few years until I reluctantly had to retire it. The store no longer stocks them & I can’t track them down anywhere. Funny how it becomes a quest. Must try the chasseur next.

Kim, the Chasseur one is my new perfect spoon – it’s not too short (a problem which plagued lots of the others ones I tried) and the head is just the right stiffness for stirring stuff around in the pan. And yes, it is funny how it becomes a quest! :)

Can’t get my eyes off the bobotie I am afraid :) ! Began making it regularly from the time Time-Life published a wonderful recipe on ‘African Cooking’ in the ‘Foods of the World’ series in 1970. Still make it the same way 45 years later and do include raisins and almonds, but also some apple – there it taught one to use the stronger Madras curry powder and I change the bay leaves for fresh lemon ones [no, I do not use sprays on my trees :D !!]. Love the lilies too . . .

Deborah, we’ve been able to buy from Metin and Moya at the markets before, but it’s been so much easier since they’ve opened their shop. I’m so glad you liked them – I sometimes just get them off the shelf to look at. I’ve moved everything around on my plate racks so that they can sit there for daily use rather than being stored in the cupboard.

Just discovered your IMK segment and love it. And its so great reading other blogs too that are participating. Your turkish plates are gorgeous – beautiful colours! And your Char Sui looks absolutely delicious. Have just posted my first IMK piece…and cant wait to read through all the others too!

How thoughtful of Tania to give you that lovely bag of chocolate. I can definitely understand you eating it straight from the bag. I love the Turkish plates! They’re so pretty and I can imagine them having a thousand uses. The lilies are stunning and I love having them in my home for the same reason – they last and last. I love your Easter eggs and it’s wonderful how Small Man was your sous chef. And as for the pork! I’m not surprised there weren’t any leftovers – that would be quickly devoured around here too! xx

As exotic as always. :) Bobotie sounds very interesting and I am going to give it a try. How generous are your friends! The lily looks beautiful, although I am one of those people who find their perfume overwhelming. :(

Thanks for hosting this great idea. Already lots of people have visited my post about what is happening in my kitchen. Big hugs to you, Celia. Xoxo

Anne, I know what you mean about the lilies – I quite like their perfume, but it’s certainly very heady – I’d go into the dining room first thing in the morning and be hit with it. Thanks for joining the IMK family! :)

Thanks for the sticky beak into your kitchen! Love lilies, they last such a long time and they smell so lovely plus the flowers are sometimes huge they always amaze me. Love the dishes from Moya’s, I like that they have a lip for pouring I think that would come in handy – I may have to drop in this weekend :) Your neighbour Brett sounds as generous as you, it’s so kind that you all share food – I want to live in your street :)

Hi Celia, popped in today Metin said Moya is due in a couple of weeks so she is now at home so unfortunately missed her. Metin kindly made me some turkish apple tea to try it was so delicous that I just had to buy some for home. They truly are the nicest store owners I’ve ever met and I feel similar to you when you meet such lovely people you just want them to do well. I’ve been telling everyone I know they need turkish dishes :) I got a couple of little bowls and trivets, wish I could have bought more I love your collection!

Always so many wonderful things in your kitchen Celia. I absolutely love lilies and your Turkish plates are gorgeous. I am so happy you enjoyed Bobotie, it is a lovely comforting meal. Thank you for the linky.
Have a beautiful weekend.
:-) Mandy xo

Celia, you are the chocolate queen (which is a good friend to have), those eggs are gorgeously shiny. I too have Easter lilies on my hearth, still in bloom and lovely — part of the many flowers I received after surgery, they make me happy. :) The dishes are sure to become favorites, love the shapes. It appears you have a kitchen full of goodies to savor and keep you busy ~ Happy May!

ohhhhh, that char siu! Very nice!! And I may just have to try that bobotie but without the raisins or I face the wrath of my kids.LOL
OH, BTW Julia got her picture taken with Matt Smith at our Comic Expo!!! Yeaa she was pretty tickled BUT also barely had time to pose as there were so many people in the queue. I would scan it and put it on my IMK post but I have to ask her first.

I love those Turkish dishes, especially with their little spout. I use wooden spoons (flat for savoury, rounded for sweet) for stirring and only use silicone for scraping out as I worry that overuse will make them fall apart. One day I might cast aside my penny pinching ways! I wish Glenda would come visit me with a bag of goodies.

I am a recent lover of Bobotie – I had lunch at a South African friend’s place last year and his mum who was visiting made it for us. It was sooooo good! I also love char sui pork but have never made it – thanks for the recipe link. And your plates are beautiful

We love char siu here too Celia and I bet there wouldn’t have been any leftovers either! Chocolate is always wonderful, so is yummy olive oil, and of course those plates are stunning! So many goodies in your kitchen this month, thanks for sharing sweetie xox

what beautiful plates and chocolate eggs! and I love how you found out about bobotie – I have had a recipe for a tofu version for ages but I am not sure if I have made it and would not have a clue about the authenticity of it

Now why do I always end up at the end of an In My Kitchen post of your with a strong desire to Google something you’ve mentioned and buy it straight away?! I think I must have those spatulas. The plates are just beautiful. Well done on the Char sui and for not eating the entire bag of chocolate straight from the packet.

O my! Your kitchen is like a treasure-cove! How wonderful it would be to savor some dark chocolates on those Turkish plates sitting beside a vase full of those gigantic snow-white Lillis! – Thanks a ton for sharing your kitchen-jewels with us. Enjoyed every single moment I spent here :)

Excellent IMK post. The IMK community is great. I made a couple of new blogging friends after you generously included my kitchen post in last months IMK. I’m going to add Bobotie to my repertoire of mince creations. Yum. I have red silicone spatula, a freebie from a magazine, that is my go-to. Must add more to my ever expanding wish list.

Hello Celia. As usual your kitchen is vibrant and interesting! I can only imagine how good that Amedei chocolate is. I love those Turkish plates. Your chocolate is always amazing…I love that your boys are into it too! Those special bits from Glenda are impressive, these are the best gifts aren’t they?

I really love those spoons, I had no idea you could buy Chasseur spoons. Thanks for the tour and for hosting our kitchens each month. Happy cooking to you. My post is linked x

Jane, it’s probably fair to say that my boys are ROPED into it rather than volunteering, but they’re both so good – they ALWAYS help when I ask, and they never whinge. Well, Big Boy never whinges, Small Boy always wants an explanation first.. :)

The silicone spoons are seriously good in my hand, I hope other people like them too! xx

Well you’re so right buying six of something you like. I had a pair of tongs that I held onto and fixed when they failed. After far too long they finally gave up the ghost & I’ve moved on to some silicon ones that I can’t stand. If only I knew…

As for the bobotie, it looks delicious. How lucky to have a neighbour cook for you. SA dishes use a lot of apricot. I wonder what that’s about? Must be to do with colonisation. Thanks for hosting Celia. Lucky you with Maus and Glend’as capers!

Dear Celia, I follow your posts, I have stayed overseas for the last two years and have come across a fantastic unbleached, stone ground flour that is used by all of the boutique bakeries in South Africa. I will bring back next week around 20 x 1Kg packets of bread flour. I recently saw your post about bread flour, how do I obtain your address and once back I will post you 1 Kg for you to try the flour…I have a colour brochure I can send you in the meantime but would need an email address… KInd Regards Steve ( Qld )

Bobotie!!! I know this one very well. I think every South African family has their own version which is quite lovely to compare. I make my mother-in-law’s recipe which is very similar to the one’s above, with the addition of grated apple. Sometimes, I add thinly sliced aubergine to the mix (this almost gave Johan a heart attack) and include Greek yogurt in the egg topping. And of course, you need a heavy helping of Mrs. Ball’s Chutney on the side :) Great kitchen tour this month Celia! xx

You sure know how to start off a post, Celia. Those lilies are gorgeous! How could anyone not smile when they enter your kitchen and see — and smell — those blooms. Although I think this a wonderful post, I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I’m a tad disappointed. I’d expected to see a stack of squash in one of your kitchen’s corners. You know, like a woodpile. Sigh. Maybe next month? :D

Hi Celia, I really enjoy your blog and you have inspired me to start my own on the weekend just so I can post in my kitchen! I love hearing what gets eaten as sometimes my ideas of what to cook don’t match what my kids will happily eat. Gailx

I’ve been procrastinating for months, but I’ve finally decided to join in and I’ve just put up my first IMK post. It’s over on my blog now. Thanks for facilitating this every month, I love reading through everyone’s posts.

I love this post Celia. The IMK series is such a great way to get to know our fellow bloggers, their inspirations and current loves! I’ve just come over to you from Francesca’s (Almost Italian) post on quinces, chilli oil and gorgeous ciabatta… now I’m loving your glossy tempered chocolate, it looks perfect! Hm, who to head over to next?? :) So much fun. Thanks for hosting this fab monthly affair! xx

I always love your chocolates and Turkish crockery, and this month is no exception. What a gorgeous selection :) Those flowers are incredibly beautiful too – it sounds like a great month at your place!

Wow Celia, I always get to the end of your post and I’m salivating. Those turkish plates are divine and I can just taste those chocolate eggs! I love reading everyone’s posts and having a peak into their kitchen. Fab idea! Here’s my post for may, xhttp://theroguesparrow.blogspot.com.au/

What a lovely idea for a post Celia and look forward to having a peek into other bloggers kitchens. Love having fresh flowers in the kitchen too. No kitchen would be complete without the essential bowl scraper. Nice that you bought something special with your parents birthday gift, the Turkish plates are beautiful. Here is a link to my post for this month. http://foodandtools.com/2014/05/09/in-my-kitchen-may-2014/

[…] finally, this lovely bunch of spring rhubarb…what would you make with it?Thank you Celia of Fig Jam and Lime Cordial for organizing this large bunch of posts from around the world. It’s a lot of hard work and […]

Celia, your sublime-looking chocolate Easter Eggs are making me wish I’d thought ahead to dessert tonight… give me a minute to plaster my face to my computer screen… ahhhh, I can practically smell ‘em! ;) I also think your new plates are vibrant and meticulously painted — soooo beautiful — and your spatulas are a necessity!!! Most intriguing were your Boboti and char siu… thanks for the links. And the homemade goodies from Glenda?! Truly thoughtful, tasty treats! My post is up & running now… think I just squeaked in under the deadline… and I hear ya re: commenting. Good heavens, girl, you’re up to over 80 IMK-ers! You define the phrase: “Labor of love.” Happy Mother’s Day!

Hi Celia!
I think this is a great post idea and I’m really keen to join in June’s IMK.

I wondered whether you might be interested in using a Inlinkz to connect all the IMK posts together? It’s free to do and means that everyone’s post will have a list (and image) of all the others at the bottom for easy interlinking. I’ve got an example of how it works on my site with either the Recipe Redux posts or the WIAWRD. Thought you might like to know about it! :)

Hello Celia,
I’ve just come across your segment In My Kitchen and sounds amazing! I would love to join in for June if that would be ok? Our write up has to be done by the 10th of every month is that right?
I just love your Turkish plates – the colours are just amazing! And as much as I’ve never had a bobotie, I’ve always wanted to try it, so may have to give your neighbour’s recipe a try!
Oh, and just on your new spatulas – how hard is it to find the right fitting spatula or spoon. I’m having trouble finding a replacement for my slotted turner – they’re just not the same as what I already have!
Look forward to joining you next month – such a fantastic idea to socialise

Absolutely! Please do join in, we’d love to peek into your kitchen! Just leave me a comment on next month’s post when you’re ready, and I’ll add it to the list. And you’re so right, finding the perfect “in the hand” utensil can be quite a quest! I’m still looking for a very specific peeler replacement.. :)